Oyster-opener



W. F. STEU'ART.

' OYSTER OPENER. No. 402,867. Patented May '7, 1889.

Wi /ifieases, Ma a/ 07".

74 flaw/M W UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM F. STEUART, OF BLAOKBANKS, ST. SIMON S ISLAND, GEORGIA.

OYSTER-OPEN ER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 402,867, dated May '7,1889.

Application filed January 24, 1887. Serial No. 225,401. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, WILLIAM F. STEUART, of Blackbanks, St. SimonsIsland, Georgia, have invented a new and useful Machine for OpeningOysters, of which the following is a specification.

This invention has for its objects to provide a machine for openingoysters which may be operated by foot-power, leaving the hands of theoperator free to manipulate the oysters, thus providing for rapidlyopening the oysters, separating the same from the shells, and quicklydisposing of the shells after the removal of the oysters, as more fullyhereinafter explained.

The above-mentioned objects I attain by the means illustrated in theaccompanying drawing, in which is represented a perspective view of myimproved machine.

Referring to the drawing, the letter C indi cates a rectangular tablehaving an opening in the top through which the shells are dropped as theoysters are opened, and B represents a chute inclining downward from apoint below the opening to one end of the table, for the purpose ofcarrying the shells to a suitable place of deposit.

H represents a vertical curved knife, which is securely fastened to thetable at one side of the opening. To one of the side rails of the tableare secured vertical standards E, between which is pivoted a pedal, E,extending to the front and rear of the table. To the rear end of saidpedal is secured the lower end of a Vertical connecting-rod, A, theupper end of which is secured to the rear end of an oscillating lever,G, which is fulcrumed between vertical standards L, secured to the topof the table near the rear edge thereof. The forward end of said leverextends directly over the knife H and partly over the opening in the topof the table, and is provided with a slot, h.

The letter D indicates acurved knife similar to the knife H, the saidknife D being provided with a screw-threaded shank, (Z,

which extends upward through the slot h in the lever G, and is adjustably confined therein by means of a thumb-nut, 6, so that theposition of the knife D maybe adjusted with reference to the knife H, asmay be desired.

The operation of my invention will be readily understood from the abovedescription, and is as follows: The operator stands at the front of thetable opposite the knives and the opening in the top of said table,holding the oyster in his hands, while he opens it by subjecting it tothe action of the knives by means of the pedal. The oysters are removedfrom the shell as they are opened and deposited in a suitablereceptacle, while the shells are dropped through the opening and passdown through the chute out of the way.

Having described my invention and the operation thereof, what I claim,and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination, with the table having an opening in the top and achute below, of the stationary curved knife secured to the table, theoscillating lever carrying a curved knife directly over the stationaryknife, the connecting-rod, and the pedal connectedto the lever by meansof said rod, substantially as specified.

2. The combination, with the lower stationary knife, of the upper knifeadj ustably secured to an oscillating lever, whereby said upper knifemay be adjusted with respect to the lower knife, substantially as andfor the purpose set forth.

3. The combination, with the oscillating lever having a slot at itsforward end, of the curved knife having a screw-threaded shank passingthrough the slot, and a thumb-nut whereby the knife may be adjusted withrespect to the lower knife, substantially as shown and described.

WM. sTEUAR'r. Witnesses:

WARREN A. FULLER, G. W. STooKwELL, I

